Music, dance add flavour to the process as candidates brave chill along with supporters to file nominations on Paush Purnima. Abhinav Madhwal reports.

The auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima on Monday prompted several candidates from various political parties to file their nominations for the assembly polls despite heavy snowfall in some areas. Paush Purnima happens to be a major bathing day.

Chief minister major general BC Khanduri braved heavy snowfall and walked around 4 km to file nomination in Pauri for the Kotdwar seat even as BJP state president Bishen Singh Chuphal filed nomination for the Didihat seat in Pithoragarh.

BSP candidate Manoj Sharma's wish of coming on a chopper to file nomination was not fulfilled as he was denied permission by district administration.

22 papers filed in HaridwarThe sound of drums, an expectant atmosphere and a constant buzz—the collectorate was transformed from a drab bureaucratic office to the city’s hotspot on Monday.

As expected, several heavyweight candidates filed their nomination papers as the day had been proclaimed auspicious by fortune tellers.

A total of 22 nominations were filed, including BJP’s Madan Kaushik, who is contesting from Haridwar and first time candidate Kalim Ansari from Mangalore. Swami Yateeshwaranand and Suresh Jain will contest from Haridwar Rural and Sanjay Gupta from Luxor.

From the Congress, Balwant Singh Chauhan will contest from Ranipur and Satpal Brahmchari from Haridwar. Rajendra Rathor of SP and independent candidates Brij Rani and Manohar Sharma from Jwalapur, also filed their papers.